Drew Kennedy - Alone, But Not Lonely (Live) (Free Download)

There is something warm and soothing about live acoustic music. It allows the singer to paint a picture with his lyrics with amazing clarity and passion. When you combine well written lyrics along with vocals that float almost effortlessly with the strumming of the guitar, you have Americana music in its purest form.

Drew Kennedy has given a gift to us all with his latest release “Alone, But Not Lonely.” When I say “gift,” I mean it in every sense of the word. Believe it or not, you can download this for free if you like. Here is the link:

http://www.lonestarmusic.com/free_drew.asp

You may also buy a limited edition version of the CD as well. There are 300 limited edition CD’s, with each hand carved linoleum block black ink on cardboard CD sleeve prints. Each one will be numbered and autographed as well. These will be first come, first served, available either at Lone Star Music, or on the road at the shows. I highly recommend you order this before they disappear. It is that good.

The CD is comprised of 12 live songs, 6 songs from previously released material, plus 6 new songs which have yet to see the light of day. Kennedy has also kindly included introductions for these songs, which provides some great insight as to where these songs were derived. I must admit, after hearing some of the ideas where his songs originated, I had to shake my head in amazement. The guy is literal genius.

Of the 6 songs which were previously released, 5 of them appear on his most recent studio success “An Audio Guide To Cross Country Travel.” The only song from a prior release is touching “The Last Waltz.” Kennedy provides some humorous details behind this song which he calls one of his favorites.

From the opening chords of the CD, you realize just what a treat this is going to be. The live energy jumps out at you immediately as Kennedy starts out with “Cincinnati.” Mixing in the intros of the new songs with the prior material creates an atmosphere allowing the listener to be sitting among the others at the show, enjoying the night.

Before you get the idea that there must be something wrong with these 6 new songs since they have not appeared on any prior releases, forget it. “Tending Bar By The Tracks At Midnight In Tupelo, Mississippi” (yes, that is one song) was co-written with fellow Texan Rodney Hayden while out on the road. The song, and great story behind it, should not be missed. In fact, all 6 new songs provide an introspective look into this great artist/writer. “AM Radio” along with “We’ve All Got Marks To Make” are just two more examples of his broad talents.

The highlight for me has to be the live version of “St. Abilene,” which appears on the “An Audio Guide To Cross Country Travel” album. This is just a beautiful song, but when you strip it down to the man, the music, and a guitar…it floors you. Kennedy’s vocal strengths truly shine.

One more thing….as he states in the liner notes for this release….Kennedy just turned 30 years old. He states this is sort of a “celebration” of that achievement. Honestly, how many artists out there today would provide this great music for free? Do yourself….and your friends a favor….tell them about this guy…and his music. Let them get this free download if they need convincing. There will be no disappointment….and the guy truly deserves it.

HANK III UPDATE

Here is a bit of news which may surprise some. Hank III is more well known for his rowdy hell-raising ways than his kind heart, but there is a warm heart beating within there. Here is a notice just posted on his web site:

"Hank III (Hank Williams III), will present a benefit concert for Homes for Our Troops, a non-partisan, non-profit 501 organization that provides specially adapted homes for severely wounded veterans at Wired Live (formerly the Meridian), 1503 Chartres, Houston, TX on Saturday, March 13, 2010. Doors open at 7 pm. Prior to the show, a VIP dinner will be held onsite with attending dignitaries and military personnel.
Hank III, the grandson of Hank Williams, is known for mixing hillbilly country with punk rock rhythms in his marathon performances. He usually plays back-to-back sets—country first as Hank III and the Damn Band and then as heavy industrial punk- rockers Hank III and Assjack.
A very special appreciation presentation will be made honoring Hank III for his support to Homes For Our Troops, and local military personnel and veterans will be attending the show courtesy of local businesses. Hank III will stop through Houston for the benefit show while on his west coast tour.
Opening for Hank III will be former NFL All-Pro offensive lineman Kyle Turley and Texas musician Linda K. Showtime is at 8pm and tickets are available via
myonstageevents.com or ticketmaster.com. "

It is great to see him doing something like that.

Also from his web site...more great news about his next CD release:

Rebel Within, has been given a release date of May 25, 2010. Stop by Amazon and pre-order the CD now, you can also pre-order the release as a LP+CD package.
The track list:
Getting' Drunk and Fallin' Down / Rebel Within / Lookin' For A Mountain
Gone But Not Forgotten / Drinkin' Ain't Hard To Do / Moonshiner's Life
#5 / Karmageddon / Lost In Oklahoma / Tore Up and Loud
Drinkin' Over Mama

So it looks like we have plenty of good music to look forward to as the weather gets warmer!! Keep updated here...as I hope to get another one on one interview with Hank III before this release date.

PAUL THORN UPDATE

Good news!!!
Paul Thorn is set to release a new CD on June 22nd, according to his newsletter update received just yesterday.
Can't wait that long? Not to worry...Paul says there will be a limited edition pre-sale option with bonus material only available from his web site at www.paulthorn.com. He states info should be available next month, so keep checking.

For those that want a sneak peek at one of the songs, Music Fog has a video of Paul singing one of the new songs titled "That's Life" that you need to check out. Just Paul and his guitar, doing what he does best.
The guy is a talent.....with extraordinary passion and writing skills to boot.
Here is the link to the video on Music Fog:

http://musicfog.com/home/2010/2/20/paul-thorn-thats-life.html

Speaking of Music Fog....if you have not checked it out...get your butt over there and do it. Former XM radio director for X-Country (I miss this station very much) Jesse Scott has done a great job gathering up some stuff which should not be missed.

BEST BLUEGRASS SONGS OF ALL TIME??

What 3 songs would you choose if forced to decide among the best bluegrass songs of all time?

My choices would have to include Jimmy Martin and Bill Monroe, since I consider them the King and Father respectively of bluegrass music.

With that in mind, my choices would be in no particular order:

20/20 VISION - This song has always rang true for me with its chorus "20/20 Vision and walking around blind." A Jimmy Martin classic.

CAN'T YOU HEAR ME CALLIN' - A true classic by Bill Monroe. I also enjoy the personalized version Dwight Yoakam did on this one as well.

I AM A MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW - Of course this one was made more famous from the movie "Oh Brother Where Art Thou," but has been around for quite sometime.

Those would be my choices. I would like to hear from others to see what you think. I am always looking for something I might have missed.

THE STEEL WHEELS - RED WING

When you attempt to define true Americana music, you must believe in a blend of different genres. The term Americana represents artists who refuse to be stereotyped into one specific genre, and allows the freedom to express their passion in music…in whatever form it may take.

A new band based in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia certainly exhibits all of these traits. The Steel Wheels are a four piece band which blends the genres of bluegrass, blues, folk, along with the foot stomping music from their home base. Their new release titled “Red Wing,” also exhibits the innate ability to take from the roots of the past and build upon it with their own unique qualities.

The band is comprised of four very talented young musicians. Trent Wagler does a great job with his energetic and passionate vocals. He also has a hand in writing or co-writing 11 of the 14 songs which appear on the record. Jay Lapp shows amazing dexterity on mandolin, and also wrote the song simply stunning instrumental “Second of May,” for this record. Brian Dickel contributes on bass, providing the foot stomping grooves throughout. Playing the scorching fiddle is Eric Brubaker, who also wrote the instrumental “At Long Last” for the record.

The music here is quite compelling. From the subtle strings on the opening song “Love You Like I Should,” they draw you into the realm of their sound. The song builds slowly until it kicks in with the forceful vocals of Wagler. By the time Brubaker kicks in with his amazing fiddle, you are loaded onto the wagon and ready for the journey. And what an enjoyable ride it is, full of peaks and valleys painted exceptionally well in the mixture of tempos and sweet instrumentals.

It is difficult to pinpoint the highlights on this record, because each song certainly has its own quality and appeal. Whether it is the slow touching numbers such as “Walk This Way” or the title cut “Red Wing,” the more upbeat “Nothing You Can’t Lose” or “Long Way To Go,” or the amazing harmonies of the gospel numbers “Surround Me” or “Working On A Building,” which closes out the journey, each captivates you in a different way. I must say for me, however, the Blind Boys of Alabama would be proud of the a cappella version of “Surround Me,” and the instrumental “Second of May” has been on repeat several times as well.

If one must compare The Steel Wheels to another act in order to get an idea of their music, imagine a blend of the passion of The Avett Brothers, the instrumentals of Old Crow Medicine Show, and then sprinkle in the backwoods feel of The Legendary Shack Shakers. In truth, attempting to compare them with anyone is an injustice, since after one listen you can hear that they stand very well on their own perch.

ALSO CHECK OUT MY OTHER SITE http://www.americanaroots.com/

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